Gerard Keledjian, Toronto.
NEW CANADIANS, a newcomer focused show, was launched on October 23, 2015 on Rogers TV community channel in the GTA. An extension of the web show by same name (newcanadians.tv), it is produced by New Horizons Media in association with New Canadian Media Professionals Network (NCMP).
Perhaps the first show to focus entirely on supporting newcomers and would be immigrants, NEW CANADIANS features resources and provides precise information to help newcomers to maximize their chances of success and ease their integration into Canadian society. It also walks the successful newcomer journeys to help motivate newcomers.
The show has five segments:
- settlement,
- employment/small business,
- education,
- successful immigrants, and
- news and events.
The first few episodes showcase bridging programs for internationally educated human resources, social work and mental health professionals; a support group for newcomer seniors and stories of successful immigrants. Every year more than 250,000 people immigrate to Canada in search of a better life. Research shows that 61.8% of them face challenges finding employment, and many experience difficulties in finding proper housing, schooling for children and face social isolation.
“Most immigrants,” says Gerard Keledjian, Executive Producer, New Horizons Media “struggle with challenges of settling down and finding jobs. There are good resources and programs available to help them deal effectively with their challenges, but those programs are not effectively promoted to newcomers and would-be immigrants. NEW CANADIANS hopes to bridge that gap, one video story at a time.” As an immigrant himself, Gerard understands the struggles that newcomers undergo, first hand.
NEW CANADIANS is aired on Rogers TV in Toronto every Friday at 7:00pm on Cable 10 and 63, and every Tuesday at 3:30pm in Peel Region on Cable 10. It is sponsored by The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University.
“We are pleased to sponsor NEW CANADIANS,” says Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, Dean of The Chang School. “International professionals often come to Canada with a breadth of experience and credentials that are not fully recognized here. Yet, the shortage of skilled workers is one of the biggest issues we are facing in Canada. We need better linkages between employers and post-secondary institutions to bridge the gap between education, experience, and employment and help newcomers succeed in the Canadian workplace.”
Gerard Keledjian is Executive Producer with New Horizons Media
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